Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 101110

NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy6 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the first prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the second prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO explicitly reserved the first prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the second prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_05_B5203; source_row=45163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy6 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the second prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the second prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_05_B5203; source_row=45165
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because failure of the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because failure of the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B5203; source_row=45142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because failure of the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because failure of the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B5203; source_row=45141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert this criterion in the record below or on appeal, and the issue is therefore waived.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The Petitioner did not assert this criterion in the record below or on appeal, and the issue is therefore waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B2203; source_row=45138
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not meaningfully contest SCOPS' finding on appeal, repeating only the same arguments and documents without identifying how SCOPS erred. The issue is therefore waived.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The Petitioner did not meaningfully contest SCOPS' finding on appeal, repeating only the same arguments and documents without identifying how SCOPS erred. The issue is therefore waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B2203; source_row=45130
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial evidence requirements at step 1.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial evidence requirements at step 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B2203; source_row=45139
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert this criterion in the record below and did not provide the promised evidence on appeal, so eligibility under this criterion is waived.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The Petitioner did not assert this criterion in the record below and did not provide the promised evidence on appeal, so eligibility under this criterion is waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_01_B2203; source_row=45131
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the evidence relied on the general importance of small business and Latino entrepreneurship rather than showing how the Petitioner's specific company would have national-level impact, and that revenue/wage projections were unsupported by methodology or independent evidence.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found that the evidence relied on the general importance of small business and Latino entrepreneurship rather than showing how the Petitioner's specific company would have national-level impact, and that revenue/wage projections were unsupported by methodology or independent evidence. Support letters used vague, generalized language and the business plan failed to specify methodologies or tools or to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-24_02_B5203; source_row=45154
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to submit objective evidence of the publications' relative circulation, readership, or viewership despite an RFE requesting it. The claimed documentary proof referenced on appeal was not in the record.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The Petitioner failed to submit objective evidence of the publications' relative circulation, readership, or viewership despite an RFE requesting it. The claimed documentary proof referenced on appeal was not in the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-23_01_B2203; source_row=45120
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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